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Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hydroxychloroquine is being prescribed by the doctors all over the world for the treatment as well as prevention of COVID-19 with varying results. As we know damage in severe COVID-19 disease occurs mainly via the immunological mechanism. There is an assumption that HCQ has immunomodulatory property and thus may have a beneficial role in severe COVID-19 disease. In this retrospective study, we describe our experience of using low dose of HCQ (200mg/day) in 27 hospitalized severe cases of COVID-19 disease. We found, though the use of HCQ resulted in improvements in chest X-rays, there was no significant reduction in the deaths in the cases where HCQ was used.

The Center for the Study of Complex Malaria in India (CSCMi) was launched in 2010 with the overall goal of addressing major gaps in our understanding of “complex malaria” in India through projects on the epidemiology, transmission, and pathogenesis of the disease. The Center was mandated to adopt an integrated approach to malaria research, including building capacity, developing infrastructure, and nurturing future malaria leaders while conducting relevant and impactful studies to assist India as it moves from control to elimination. Here, we will outline some of the interactions and impacts the Center has had with malaria policy and control counterparts in India, as well as describe emerging needs and new research questions that have become apparent over the past 12 years.

The Arctic and sub-arctic regions are impacted by t he growth of the global nanotechnology industry and the transport of chemicals to the North. New nanotechno logy industries, such as neural prothesis, are brin ging nanomaterials in direct contact with neurons and gl ial cells. Nanomaterials have unique chemical and p hysical properties that may lead to toxicological effects b y interfering with normal cellular metabolism. Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are now very common and widely used in daily life. Over the last decade there have been reports that ZnO NPs can have negative impacts on plants and simple organisms. However, there is a paucity of research on the effects and mechanisms b y which ZnO NPs impact neuronal cells. This report investigates how ZnO NPs interact with the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Using transmission electron microscopy, we observed that the ZnO NPs form 36 nm particles, on average and increased the level of t he cytokine VEGF in extracellular fluid. Moreover, ZnO NPs, in presence of TNF-α, decreased the level of extracellular VEGF when compared with TNF-α treatment alone. These findings suggest a basis fo r further studies on the interactions of ZnO NPs with signal transduction pathways and their impact on the relea se of cytokines. The importance of developing cellular model systems to evaluate the toxicity of nanomateria ls before they are released to the marketplace will be nefit both the ecosystem and human health.